Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-23
NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD
COURT OFFICIALS PUZZLED
OVER A NEW LAW.

The Jurisdiction of tho United States
Circuit Court Extended in Criminal
Matters - The Minimum Amount of
Civil Suits Increased From $500 to
$4,000 Effect of the New l. Nv on
Capitalists Investments.
One of the expiring acts of the late Con-
gress was the passage Of bill affecting
the Circuit Courts of the United States.
AS yet very little has been SAID about the
act, and the officials OF the courts have
been rather puzzled OVerit In some dis
tricts the officials had not heard Of it a
few days ago. The statute is an import
ant one, but bears evidence on it's face of
having been hurried through. The SPELL
Ing is bad even for congressman, and the
numbering OF the sections is irregular,
there being two sections and two others
numbered 3.
For twelve years past, or since the pas
sage of the act OF 1915, which gave to the
courts of the United states jurisdiction
almost to the full extent provided by the
Federal constitution, the Supreme Court
has been engaged In the Interpretation of
that carefully drawn statute. During
y
defined the meaning OF the law. Now Il
great deal OF that is repealed; something
else is set Up in its stead, and, consider
ing what strikes the lay mind as the OBJ
security in expression OF the new law, the
Supreme Court will be score OF years
constituting its meaning, aud expensive
Will be the litigation over it.
The first section says ''that the Circuit
Courts of the United States shall have
Vt T{n oI syo, tuit a ha
courts of the several States, of all suits Of
Il civil nature, at common law or in
equity, where the matter in dispute
exceeds, exclusive OF interest and cost,
the sum or value Of $4,000, and arising
under the constitution or laws of the
United States, or treaties made or which
shall be made under their authority" or
in cases in which the United States are in
terested, or In Il controversy between
citizeus Of different States, the sum in
dispute to exceed $4,000, or in cOntrO-
versy between citizens OF the same State
claiming lands under grants of different
States, or in controversy between citi-
zens OF a State and foreign States, citi
zens or subjects, where the amount in
dispute exceeds $4,000.
The Circuit Courts are given exclusive
cognizance OF all crimes and offenses
cognizable under the authority of the
United States, except as otherwise pro-
vided by law, and concurrent jurisdic-
tion with the district courts of the crimes
and offeDses cognizable by them.
Nor snail any Circuit or District
Court have cognizance of any suit eX-
cept upon foreign bills of exchange to
recover the contents of any prOmissOry
note or other chose in action in favor of
any assignee, or of any subsequent holder
of such instrument be payable to bearer,
unless such suit might have been prose-
cuted In such court to recover the said
contents if no assignment or transfer has
been made"
Heretofore the minimum amount of
suits in the United States Circuit Courts
was $500. The Increase OF the minimum
sum will cut off many suits from that
court and will reduce the civil business
OF the court here probably one-fourth.
Under the old law merchant in the city
holding the note OF farmer in one of the
counties, say for 5000, could not bring
suit in the United States Circuit Court,
but could transfer the note at
of another State, who could
bring suit in the Superior Court of the
county Of which the defendant was resi-
dent, and from the Superior Court the
case could be removed to the United
States Circuit Court. That was frequent
ly done too, as the plaintiffs claimed that
they were citizens OF another State and
believed that their interest would be
jeopardized by local prejudice. Now the
amount involved must be $1,000, exclusive
OF interest and costs, and If the notes are
not assigned before falling due. IL is
said that one effect of the new law will be
to prevent capitalists l0aning money out
side of their state.
Another act passed just before Congress
adjourned gives the Circuit Courts con-
current jurisdiction with the Court Of
Claims. This law will throw new bust
ness into the Circuit Courts and be a sort
OF off set to the other law, which will cut
off many suits.